Two days had passed. In that time she had not heard from Curtis, she had met with her friend and although she had not wanted her friend to give her the old phone, she was grateful for it. It was like new, she wondered if her friend had brought it and told her it was old. Either way she would have to repay her one day for her kindness.

It took a few hours of playing, for her to get used to it. Her sim was fine, and the phone worked. When the phone rang, she jumped, hoping it was Curtis, she was worried he had wanted to end it. She had no time to wallow, when she answered it was not him, instead it was for a for a job. She needed the money, she could not turn it down.

The job wanted her in at ten, she would be picked up at seven, a white van they told her, she was used to that, she had often been on jobs where they picked her up and took her. She had many jobs, from working in factories, and on the land, it all depending on the temp job that they needed her to do, she was not against any type of job. They all paid, and that was what she needed, money.

Dressed in casual clothing, and trainers and then waited at the top of the road for the van.

It arrived on time, the door slid open, she climbed inside and belted up. Everything seemed fine, until they drove away, the man sat beside her, was smirking at her, he lunged for her, as he placed a rag on her face, she fought hard to stop him. She was in trouble, she knew it. Her thoughts were on Curtis, was this payback for him telling his father that she would not marry him. Her eyes closed and everything turned black.

She woke, with no idea where she was, what time it was, or if they were TJ’s men. She did not recognise any of them, she heard their voices from through the door; loud booming voices. The room she was in, was dark. The only light shining on her was a thin stream coming through the crack in the door. Her hands and feet were bound, a gag around her mouth. She was terrified, she heard a movement from behind the door and then the doorknob rattled and the door opened, light flooded the room and a man entered. The man was the one who she recalled who had placed the rag to her mouth. She watched him cross the room to her, as more tears fell.

“Crying won’t help you; you know why you are here don’t you?”

She shook her head, she had no idea.

“Oh come on, Jessica,” he said, smirking at her. “Yes, we know who you are, we know everything about you.”

Her eyes were wide.

“If you want to stay alive, all you have to do is tell us where they are?”

She frowned. Where who were? She shook her head.

“Oh come on, we know you are Curtis’s woman, his wife to be.”

She shook her head again, she was, but wasn’t. He leaned in closer, she had no idea what to do, but stare at him. His breath was strong, he reeked of alcohol and tobacco.

“You see, we don’t believe you, they will pay, they know they have stepped on the wrong toes,” he smirked again. “Maybe we should take your toes, one at a time, to remind them of that.”

Her eyes were wider than ever, they were crazy, she knew his family ran a shady business, but surely there was room for two loan sharks, this man was scarier than TJ and had her heart beating, tears trickling down her face. She could barely breathe, the thought made her think of being beneath those waves, being saved by Curtis. Would he care that they had her?

The man tugged the gag from her mouth, she gasped for air.

“Tell me where they are?”

“I don’t know. Curtis has not contacted me in two days.”

“We know, but he sent you that message.”

“What message?”

“Oh come on sweetheart, you got his flowers didn’t you?”

“The roses?”

“No, come on Jessica, they arrived yesterday morning.”

Curtis had only given her one bunch of flowers that she recalled. She shook her head.

“I never received any flowers yesterday.”

“Why are you lying?”

“I’m not.”

“We know you got them.”

“I didn’t,” she said, looking past him, she saw the other men in the other room. “Maybe, maybe, my mum took them in for me,” she stuttered.

“Your mum?”

“Yes.”

“I want to believe you, Jessica, but come on, that sounds like a lie, why don’t you just tell us the truth.”

“I am.”

He placed the gag back on her mouth, and walked towards the door. “When you are ready to tell us the truth, I will be back. Why don’t you think about that, I am sure you want to keep your pretty little face as it is, I am sure Curtis wouldn’t want you all disfigured would he?”

If he was after scaring her, he was doing just that, she was terrified. Not just at the words that he was saying, or the threat, she knew he would do it, the way he said it, made him smile, like it was something he got off on.

She was scared, and knew in her heart, that Curtis would not care about what happened to her. She wanted to believe he would come to her rescue, that he loved her, but he was not about to come and rescue her. She would die here, that thought ran through her head. She had to find a way out, a way to save herself.

He closed and locked the door behind him. She heard his footsteps as he walked across the room to the men, she imagined he was with the other men, talking about her, and the fact she had not told him what he wanted to hear.

She tried to undo the knots, to break free, but she was locked up tight. She wanted to get out of the room, run for freedom, but how? She would not sleep, how could she? Fear had her eyes wide watching the door.

She felt herself swaying, she was tired, exhausted, she had fought and failed. She heard a commotion outside the door, raised voices, shuffling of feet and banging. The door to the room she was in swung open, it hit the wall, her eyes were on the man before her, but she could not see him, her eyes had not focused fully. She was tired, her eyes closing, she had to keep them open. She had no idea how much time had passed since the threat that had been made to disfigure her. Was this man here to do what had been promised? She squealed beneath the gag, tried to keep away from the man before her, until she heard his voice, soothing her, helping her. The tears that fell, which were at first from fear, were replaced with relief. Her heart was racing, as he removed the gag. She was able to breath, she was gasping, as he freed her and was soon carrying her past the men who had taken her, the men were being handcuffed. She did not understand, she did not know what to make of what was happening. All she knew was that voice, and who it belonged to. She was in his arms, being carried from the dark room, to his car, she felt the cold air hit her as he walked her to it. the sky was dark, no stars, just a half moon lit the way, and then they were driving, fast, away from the scene. She wanted to ask questions, she was too tired, exhausted. She closed her eyes, unable to keep them open a moment longer.

Jessica woke in a room she did not recognise. For a moment she thought she was back in the room with those men. The room was dark, she screamed, hearing movement. The light filled the room, as Curtis turned on the lamp beside the bed; he was other side, holding her to him, telling her she was safe. She could not stop the tears falling; they came, thick and fast, falling until she was sobbing, causing her chest to ache and her throat to become sore. She had never been so scared.

“Jessica, it’s okay, I am sorry, so sorry.”

Through her sobs, she had asked him what happened, who were they?

“I should explain, but how?” he said, he sat back. “I don’t know where to start.”

“The beginning,” she mumbled.

“If I tell you the truth, you know what we had, what we thought was real, isn’t.”

She frowned.

“What we feel may be real, but this, the way we met, the situation, that isn’t real.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I’m a cop,” he said.

“A cop?”

“But…?”

“My father, he really is my father, he really is, but we have been undercover for years, so many years that we got into this deeper than we intended. But we had to put on a good show.”

“A show?”

She knew she was just repeating odd words, but this was a lot to take in.“My brothers, do they owe you this money, is that real?”

“Sadly, yes, but Jessica, the plan for you, that was my dad’s idea, why, I think he knew I needed a little fun, he never expected us to actually fall for each other. We have worked too hard to bring those men down, the ones who took you. We had no idea they were watching us. We needed people to think we were bad, because they were worse, the things they did to people who could not pay. We had to play a part, look as if we were attempting take over their patch.”

“And then what was meant to happen.”

“We were hoping they would try and recruit me, and they were trying, that is why they took you, I don’t know how they knew about you, the men that were with us, are cops, we all are.”

He was telling her that how they met was only half true. Her brothers were in debt, but to cops, and she was what, a pawn in their next move. Entertainment.

“What happens now?”

He looked at her, his eyes on her, but he did not answer.

“To my brothers, their debt, to those men and to us, is there an us. What is this, what do you call what we have, is it real, is anything real?”

“Your brother’s debt is real, we had to pretend to be loan sharks, so we did what we had to, but the debt they had, is gone, why,” he paused. It gone, because of you.”

“Me?”

“Yes, if they had not taken you, then we would not have found their location.”

“How did you find it.”

“I did not want to do it, but something made me do it.”

“Do what?”

“I put a tracker on your phone.”

“A tracker?”

“Yes, but then the incident in the sea, I realised ruined your phone, and I had to plant a new one in.”

“Where, where did you plant it?”

“In the necklace, the one you always wear, I took it and placed it there when you were sleeping.”

“If you had not done that, I…”

“I don’t want to think about it, I can’t.”

“Curtis, what happens now?”

He held her close to him and whispered, “I don’t know, but you are safe and that is all that matters. You are safe.”

She felt his tears on her shoulder. What she felt for him, no matter how this came about was real, but he was acting, all of it was an act. She was confused, her emotions were all over, she needed to sleep, to think and decide what she wanted.​She allowed him to hold her close, scared it would be the last time she would see him. To be held by him. she loved him not matter what the situation was, she loved him, and she could not just turn it off.

​“I don’t know why you two are so angry with me,” Jessica said, crossing her arms across her chest.

“All you have to do is marry the guy.”

“How can I make him? He’s the one that has the upper hand here. It’s not like I really want to marry the guy either. But I will; would if he was willing.”

What are we going to do?” Jim said.

Jessica shook her head. They were acting like this was her fault. If they thought it was her fault, his father would also.

“I’ve already decided that I’ll speak to his father. Tell him that I will do anything, but I can’t make his son marry me.”

Jim shook his head, and flared his nostrils. “We know we are asking a lot of you, Jessica, but think about it, do you want anything to happen to our kids, to mum and dad?”

“Why the hell do you think I am doing this? You two have to be kidding me? I do everything for you, and this is how you are treat me, you have some nerve.”

“Jim didn’t mean that, we’re just scared, scared for our families, for our own safety. The beating they gave Jim was just a warning, next time it could be worse, I…”

Jessica shook her head, tears rolling down her cheeks. She left ten minutes later, unable to look at her brothers a moment longer. She hated them for putting her in that position, but she understood why. Although she hated them, she loved them. Of course, she did. They were her brother’s.

She had not told Amy the truth behind dating Curtis, she would not understand. She did not want Amy to meet him. Jessica would have allowed it, if things were different, but she would not let her best friend get messed up this situation she was in.

Jessica made a few enquiries to locate where TJ would be. To fix this and to find another way to pay off the debt. She was so worried that her family would not be safe once Curtis told his father that they were not getting married.

​She arrived at the restaurant and stood outside for a few minutes, taking long deep breathes, ready to do what she had to.

Her next task was getting passed the bodyguards. They knew her, as they had followed her many times, even when Curtis was not with her. She had seen them, she was sure they thought she had no idea, but she knew they were there.

She was about to open the door, when a hand flew above her head, and held it closed. She looked up and knew who it belonged to.

“What do you think you are doing here?”

“Well…” she stuttered.

I know what you were thinking, but you are not doing it. I told you I would tell him and sort this out.”

“Yeah, I know what you said.”

“Get inside, act like you were meeting me here. Trust me, you do not want to go in there and do what you came here to do.”

“Why?”

“My father would not take kindly to you telling lies about his son.”

“Lies?”

“Yes, I would deny it, you know that right.”

“You know what, I don’t know what I was thinking, saying I would do this in the first place. You are just as bad as your father. Do what you want.”

He smirked, and did just that, he took her hand led her to a table, not before placing his lips on hers; all for show she knew that. The moment his lips were on hers, her heart fluttered. Damn it, she thought.

“You’re unbelievable; you know that, don’t you.”

“No I’m not, you don’t know anything about me,” he said.

“So tell me.”

“Not here, first we will eat and then go for a drive.”

“Right,” she murmured.

“Don’t be like that, smile. Fake it, you can hate me all you like, but while he is watching, fake it,” he said, taking her hand, smiling at her.

Before she could reply, a shadow loomed over them, she knew who it was. She could feel him, just from the way he stood. He was not alone.

“You two, any closer to a date, it’s been a month now.”

Not yet, Dad, but we will, give us time.”

“You have eight weeks, and then I want a date.”

“You will have it; we will talk about it soon, won’t we?”

essica nodded.

They left an hour later, he drove to the beach and together they walked along the sand. The men were not far behind.

“So tell me?”

“You want the truth,” he said.

Of course.”

“Fine, you want the truth. Do you think I want to do what he expects me to do. I never wanted any of it.”

“At sixteen, I left school and that was it, my dream was over, and my career in the family business began.”

“So why not tell him what you want. Surely he would understand.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Can I ask you a question?”

I guess so.”

“Why would you pretend to go through with this marriage thing?” she frowned and shook her head. “Can’t you find a woman without your father’s help?”

“Of course I can,” he said.

“So why haven’t you?”

“I did, but sadly things didn’t work out.”

“Don’t tell me your father did not approve of her?”

“No, it was not that either. I met her when we were seventeen, by eighteen I knew she was the one.”

“But?”

“For her, I wasn’t.”

Jessica placed her hand on his arm, but as she felt the electricity once again, she removed it.

“She was not in love with me; it took me a while to move forward. She was the first and the last woman I fell in love with. No other woman has made me feel the way she did. And I know eighteen was young to feel that, but I did.”

“She was not even willing to try?”

“No, she had already moved on, dating the guy she later married. I have dated other woman, but nothing serious.”

“I can’t believe that none of those woman had feelings for you.”

“Some did, but once they found out who my father was, they didn’t stick around.”

“Scared of your father, really?” she said, sarcastically.

He started walking again, storming ahead, taking large strides. So big she had to run to run to catch up. Jessica tried to apologise as she ran along the beach, she was not looking where she was going and did not see the pebble sticking up in the sand. She lost her footing and fell head first towards the water. The shock of the fall and the waves that thrust up against her had her in a state of confusion. A second wave hit her pulling her deeper into the water, and then she was floating further out, panic set in. Losing her footing again and again, as she fought against the waves, bust she was soon pulled under. There was water in her nose and mouth, she was gasping for air as she fought to keep her head above the water, just as she was about to go under for a third time, a pair of strong arms encased her and held her, pulling her to safety. She caught her breath and shuddered. They were both drenched.

Her tears were masked by the sea water, she was grateful for that as he held her close to his chest. Asking her over and over again, if she was okay. She simply nodded, unable to speak.

Curtis carried her to his car.

“My place isn’t far from here,” he said, placing her inside and driving them as fast and as safely as he could.

He insisted on carrying her inside. He then ran a bath for her, while he took a shower in the guest room.

His house was amazing; it was as he said only a few minutes’ drive from the beach. He handed her clean towels and a dressing gown, before crossing the hall to the guest room.

She closed the door, pealed of clothes and stepped into the bath, allowing the warmth of the water to warm her body. She sat, not laid; she was too scared to lie in the water, the image of the waves washing over her, appeared in her mind.

She heard the shower in the room across the hall. She listened, imagined him beneath it, but the thought was soon replaced with the image of slipping beneath the waves. The knock on the door, brought her back to the present.

“Are you okay in there?” he asked through the door.

“I’m fine,” she said, opening her eyes, before standing and allowing the water to swirl and gurgle its way down the plughole as the bath emptied. Stepping onto the rug, she then put on the dressing gown and then opened the door, and made her way down the stairs. She found him sat on the sofa, dressed in tracksuit bottoms and a t-shirt.

“I hope you don’t mind, but I ordered in some Chinese, and made some tea.”

“Thank you, I love Chinese.”

“It will be here in ten minutes.”

Ten minutes later, the food arrived. While he dished out, Jessica sat quietly, watching him. Plate full, he handed her one. She took the plate, all the time, her eyes were on him, she was unable to say what she needed to, instead they ate.

Plates empty, she placed it on the table and turned to face him.

“I need to apologise for what I said,” Jessica said.

“Don’t be, you are right, of course I am, he has a lot of power in this town. How would it look if I, his son, turned against him?”

No one is asking you to, but surely you should be able to do what you love, marry for love.”

He nodded.

“I know I am not the one you want to marry and that this isn’t real,” she said. “I get that, do you think I don’t want to marry for love too. We both should be able to marry who we want. You should do what makes you happy.”

“Thank you, but I don’t know if that would be possible. It’s a nice thought, though.”

“You could you find the one, and have it all, you know that don’t you.”

“So could you. What do you want?”

“Maybe we can talk about me another night, I am exhausted,” she said, leaning back in the chair, her eyes closing. She should not fall asleep, not here, not in house. Not so close to him, yet her eyes closed, and sleep took her.

The next morning, Jessica woke early and the sun shone through the curtain, nothing felt familiar to her. She opened one eye, and then the other; she remembered where she was. She was still at his house, on his sofa, wrapped in a dressing gown, naked beneath it.

“You’re awake,” he said, carrying in her clothes and laying them beside her.

“I am sorry, I should have taken you home, woken you. But I didn’t like to. Anyway, I’ll let you get dressed. Are you hungry?”

“I am. Even after eating all that food last night.”

“Good, I’ll make us some breakfast.”

“Thank you.”

He left her alone to dress.

As soon as she was done, she found her way to the kitchen; the scent of a cooked breakfast had her heading in the right direction. Bacon, eggs and mushrooms, directed her to him. She found him at the stove.

“You cooked?”

“Don’t sound so surprised, I can cook.”

So I see.”

“I was not sure what to make, so I cooked everything.”

“I can see that. It looks amazing,” she said, sitting at the large table in the centre of the kitchen.

“Really?”

“Yes, it looks edible. I think it’s great that a man can cook. I mean, a breakfast isn’t hard, but it does look really good.”

“I’ll have you know I am a great cook, I can cook many things. Maybe one day you can try my steak and ale pie, or my lasagne,” he said, placing one of the plates before her. A pile of toast sat in the centre.

“Okay, well maybe one day you can cook for me again,” she said.

Maybe I will.”

Jessica picked up the knife and fork, and tucked in. Once the food had been eaten, Curtis drove her home. Parked outside her home, he kissed her on the cheek before driving off, saying he would pick her up at seven.

Closing the door to her flat, she hurried to her bedroom, opened her bedroom door and sat on the bed. A lot had happened since she met Curtis, she did not want to marry him, she thought. Trying to convince herself she had not felt a thing for the man and that he was not the man for her.

Sat on her bed, she opened her laptop, searching for a gift for Curtis as a thank you for saving her life. There were many ideas, but he had money and they all looked cheap and tacky. It was then an idea came to her, she googled a few ideas, and decided she would pop into town and buy what she wanted there.

She picked up her bag, and checked her purse was inside, it was then she saw her phone, she turned it on, but it did not respond. It was then she realised she had it in her pocket the night before, and it had gotten a little wet. Unlikely to ever work again. She tossed it on the bed, annoyed that she would have to replace the device, what with, she had no idea. Jessica was still in-between jobs. Money was tight. She had looked for permanent work, but she had not found the job for her. Temping was what she did, and that too had dried up. The company only called her when they needed her.

She was not sure how would now her phone was dead. She just hoped the sim was okay. She would have to buy a cheap one until she could afford to replace it with a better model.

Jessica hurried into town, with thoughts of what she wanted to buy, with what little money she had left. She had to do it, to thank him. She stood outside one of the shops, staring in the window; they had a sale on, perfect.

“Jessica, earth to Jessica!”

“Amy, hi,” she said, turning to find her friend stood beside her. She had not heard her call her name, until she physically shook her.

“I’ve been texting and calling you. You never called back me back.”

“I am so sorry,” she began, before explaining how her phone got wet. She lied, said she dropped it in the sea, telling the truth meant telling her about Curtis. Jessica was not prepared to do that, not now, maybe never.

“You need a phone, how else will I get hold of you?”

“My home phone works.”

“Don’t say that, who uses one of those, other than my mother?”

“My parents and quite a lot of people still do.”

“Okay, but seriously, you need a phone. I just got this new one, upgraded it the other day. It’s amazing, it does so much more than my old one.”

“Sounds good, but you know Amy I can’t afford a new one, not right now. Not like the one you are describing. I’ll just a twenty pound one.”

“Oh no, Jessica, don’t do that, if you want it, you can have my old one. It’s not that old, about six months old.”

“Are you sure, and it would only be until I can afford a new one.”

“Of course I am, I will get the bits together and then I’ll bring it over. Are you in tonight?”

Jessica shook her head.

“Tomorrow, I’ll pop it over then, okay?”

Jessica nodded her head. “Perfect, thank you.”

“It’s fine, anyway, are you ever going to tell me what happened the other night, when you dashed off?”

“That, I am so sorry, I meant to explain.” How could she tell her what really happened, instead she went on to say about a family meal.

“Oh, well we need to go out again, are you free Friday?”

“I don’t know, I may have plans?”

"May?”

“Yeah!”

“Jessica, you’ve met someone, haven’t you?”

"No!” she lied.

“You know I know when you are lying don’t you.”

It was not true, but she was right on this occasion.

“I may have, but I am not saying a word about it, we may or may not be going out on Friday.”

“Is he cute?”

“Yes.”

“Does he work, can he drive?”

“Amy!”

“Oh come on, I only want a little bit of a hint.”

“Okay, he is gorgeous and I just don’t know if we would be good together. I promise I will tell you all about it soon, not yet, but soon, okay?”

“Okay, okay.”

“Good, I think we better have a girls night in. I’ll get us some take-out when you are free, okay?”

“Sure, I’d like that. We haven’t done that in such a long time.”

She nodded, hugged Jessica before promising that she would call round the next day with the phone. If she was not in, she would leave it with her parents.

Jessica turned to face the window again, she saw that his men were once again, watching her. She did her best to ignore them, and walked inside the shop. She picked up the few items she planned to buy for Curtis and had them wrapped, in plain white tissue paper. She then walked back outside, the men were gone. She had very little in her bank, and was thankful that her friend had made the offer, as a new phone meant less on the present for Curtis. She was skint, but she did not want him to know that.

She arrived home, placed the gift on the table and walked into her room; she had a few hours to spare before he was due to pick her up.

Jessica pulled on a red dress, a pair of heels and applied a small amount of make-up. Curtis arrived at five to seven.

Her parents were at the window as he opened the door and allowed her to enter; she waved to them, before they drove away.

They arrived at his house; he parked the car, opened her door again and led her inside. Jessica followed him into the kitchen; the table was set for two.

“Are you going to tell me what you have there?”

“No, but you can open it and find out.”

“It’s for me?”

“Yeah, it’s for you,” she said handing it to him. She had held it carefully, not to rip the tissue paper.

He frowned, tearing the paper off. He stared at it, then at her.

“You don’t like it?”

“I do, I just don’t understand why you would buy this for me?”

“It was a thank you, and now you can do what you love.”

“Oh I can, can I?”

“Why not?”

“It’s a nice gesture, but…”

“You don’t like it?”

“No, I do. I just don’t know if I can, and if I can what I would draw.”

“You could always draw me. I may not be the best subject; you may want someone shapelier or prettier.”

Jessica nodded, she was hungry and the moment she bit into his pie, he was right, he could cook. The pastry melted in the mouth. She had to admit she could have eaten more, but declined second piece, lying that she wanted to save room for pudding. He had made a chocolate cake with chocolate custard. It reminded her of one she had in school; it was one of the fondest memories from school she had.

Meal eaten, she was not sure if he would really draw her, until he suggested where she should lay. Lying on the rug in front of the roaring fire, she did as she was instructed, while he scribbled away, looking up at her every now and again. She felt herself blush. He was smiling, nibbling on his lip. She had thoughts of his lips as she lay there staring at him. She realised she was more attracted to him than she wanted to be. She had noticed he had a six pack beneath that top when they were both soaked through. She had felt how rock solid his chest was.

He sat back and told her it was done. She stood and sat beside him, eager to see his drawing, but he held it against his chest.

“Come on, surely I get to see it?”

“It’s not very good. I’m not sure I should show you.”

She leaned towards him and tickled him in the attempt to prise his fingers from the pad. It fell to the floor, forgotten as he laid her down and kissed her, a real kiss, hot and passionate. The deeper the kiss became the more she realised her feelings for him were changing.

She had to put a stop to this, she tried to push him off, but she did not want him to stop. Even when he led her to his bedroom and they undressed each other, she knew she should not let it continue, but she was lost in the moment. His hands were moved over her body as she looked at him in all his glory, she had been right. The body she expected to see beneath that t-shirt was now beneath her fingertips. She was not as experienced as he was in the bedroom; in fact she had only slept with two men. The thought of those boys to the man stood before her vanished the moment he laid her on the bed and made love to her.

Jessica had never had sex like it. Those boys had thought of themselves only, but not this man. Hours later she left the bedroom, once taking a long hot shower, where there love making continued.

An hour later, he was in the kitchen, draped in a towel; she wore one of his t-shirts and sat on the sofa staring at his bare torso.

“Red or white wine?” he asked, removing two glasses from the cupboard.

“White,” she replied, bending down and picking up the drawing pad as she looked at the image he had drawn, her mouth fell open. He had not lost his skills. He had captured her perfectly.

“Now that’s cheating,” he said, sitting down beside her.

“It’s good; I mean really good.”

“I had a good subject.”

“Thank you, can I keep this?”

“No, I’m going to frame it.”

“And hang it where?”

He took her hand. “I have not decided yet.”

She was staring at him, confused by her own feelings, and what had just happened, but it just sex?

“Curtis, I need to ask you something, about what just happened.”

“You mean the great sex we just had, or…”

“Not just that and it was great sex, really great sex.”

“It was, but you mean us, it was just sex Jessica.”

“Was it?” she said, and then downed the contents of the glass of wine he had handed her.

“Of course it was.”

Jessica placed the empty glass on the table and then sat back to face him.

“Be honest, because I don’t believe you.”

“Fine, but you need to be honest too.”

“I am. Do you think I would have allowed that to happen, if I didn’t like you?”

“No.”

“I didn’t want to,” she replied.

“But.”

“Like I said, I did not want to like you like that, but you have grown on me.”

“I have?” he teased.

“Yeah, you have, but don’t worry; I know this doesn’t mean I expect you to go through with the plan.”

Curtis took her hand. “Thank you, and if I am honest, I don’t know what I want. I’m not sure if I want more than this or what any of this means.”

“What happens if I want to?”

“Of course you do, for your family?”

“What if I want to do this, for me, us?”

He tilted his head, and placed his hand on her knee.

“I am not sure if you really mean that, Jessica.”

“Well, I do, Curtis, I like you, and maybe we could make this work.”

“Maybe, but…”

“You will always think that I am doing this for my family, problem there is, you are right, but it’s not just that. Okay, that is the reason we were forced together, but we have a connection, don’t you feel it?”

“I don’t know what I feel.”

She removed his hand, stood and went in search of her clothes, after saying it was best her took her home.

He drove her home in silence. Jessica was confused. She had to show him that her feelings which had crept up on her were real. She understood where he was coming from, she got that, she had to find another way to show him that she was in love with him. She did not care how, but she would.

​The meal over, Curtis led her back to his car, no words spoken, as he drove her home, she did not have to tell him any directions. He knew exactly where she lived. He parked outside the family home she shared with her parents. She had plans to move out, but it never seemed to happen. She had savings, but not enough for a deposit. Up until a few years ago, Jessica had a room in the main house. The small bedsit style flat above the garage had once been her brothers before her, until they moved out and got married. Now she had her own space, and came and went when she pleased.

Jessica saw the curtains twitch in the living room. She knew it was father relaying to her mother what he saw. They often watched the street, not much happened, but when it did they were first at the window.

Jessica waited as Curtis walked around to her side of the car and opened her door. He held out his hand and helped her out. He stepped towards the gate, her hand still in hers. She felt that same sensation as she had earlier, but dismissed it, until he moved a piece of hair that had fallen over her eye, and then he leaned in. She was frozen to the spot as his lips crushed down on hers. The kiss was deep and passionate, she was not disappointed. When he released her, her lips tingled. He whispered in her ear, telling her she was good at this faking enjoying that kiss. She nodded, acting; she had been lost in the kiss. However she nodded, that it was an act, not admitting he had taken her breath away.

He released her and walked back to the car, turning once before he climbed inside the car, started it and then drove away. The whole time she watched, her fingers caressing her lips.

It was crazy, she thought for a moment that she might in time like him, but as soon as those words left his lips, the moment was gone, she would put on a good act, but was scared about what would happen when he said she was not someone he wanted to marry. After all his father would believe she did it on purpose. She could not let her family come to any harm; she would have to do whatever it took, to save her family.

She climbed the stairs and unlocked her flat, closed the door, changed and threw herself on her bed, she had not looked at her phone since she met her brothers, she had ten messages from her brothers and a few from her best friend too.

She read through them, replying to both brothers that she was fine and home safe. She left a message for Amy and turned her phone off; she did not want to have to read any more.

She closed her eyes and tried to sleep, but thoughts of what will happen. The fake dates, the way it will end. She swallowed, touched her lips again, she would not allow his family to hurt hers. She would fake it, so much that to everyone else, it looked real. She could do that. She would do that.

The next morning, she woke early, switched her phone on. Jessica had not slept much at all, she was tired, but as her phone beeped into life, she had message after message, and a few missed calls. She ignored them all, a shower and a cup of coffee was what she needed, before she could deal with any of it.

The moment she stepped out of bed, she knew her mother would be up there. She unlocked the door, turned the shower, and stepped beneath the water.

Twenty minutes later, wrapped in a towelling dressing gown and slippers on her feet, she entered the kitchen area.

“So, who was that last night?” her mother demanded to know before Jessica could even open her mouth to say good morning. She turned to face her and sat at one of the chairs.

“Morning to you too, Mum.”

“Come on, who was he?”

“A guy I met last night. He offered to drive me home.”

“And?”

“And I’ll be seeing him again soon.”

Her mother raised her eyebrows and tilted her head.

“Mother come on, that is all I can say, I only just me the guy last night.”

“Oh come on sweetheart, you can tell me, was it love at first sight?”

“I don’t know, maybe,” she replied and sat at the table, as the doorbell rang.

Her mother looked at her and before she could make her way to the door, her mother was on her feet and at the door, she opened it to find the man from the night before holding a bunch of red roses.

Um, is Jessica here?”

“She is, come on in. I’m her mother, please come on in,” she said, suddenly so sweetly and staring at him, fluttering her eyes at him. “Nice to meet you…!”

“Curtis, nice to meet you too.”

“Jessica go get dressed, while I put these in water, I know you don’t have a vase. I’ll get one from the house, take a seat, Curtis, she won’t be long,” she said, ushering Jessica towards the bedroom.

“Thank you, I’m here to pick her up, we have a whole day planned, best to wear something comfortable, Jessica.”

She stuck her head around the door, “We do?”

“Yes, jeans and comfy shoes would be best.”

“Okay, I’ll be ten minutes or so, you can make a pot of tea or a coffee if you can find them.”

“I am sure I can. Take your time.”

Her mother smiled and left the flat, mumbling about the flowers and how lovely they were.

Jessica closed her door and sighed, hearing him open and close doors, as the kettle boiled. Pulling out a pair of jeans, a top and a jumper, she put them on, before entering the living room-come kitchen area.

“I was not sure if you took sugar!”

“Coffee or tea?”

“I made coffee, was that okay?”

“Sure. What are we doing today; I didn’t know we made plans.”

“No, we didn’t, but my father insisted we get a move on with getting to know each other. A whole day seemed a good idea.”

“Okay, do you want to get to know me, I mean you have already decided that this is not going to work, and I am not saying I think we would have either. I just don’t think your family will accept that you…”

“Jessica, I said I would deal with that, my father and my family.”

“Right, but you don’t care about me or my family do you?”

“No, but that’s not the point.”

“No, it is the point. I care what happens, but we are not talking about this here. My parents may hear what is said here; let’s go, before they hear what I have to say.”

“What you have to say?”

“Yes, now drink up.”

Drinks drunk, Jessica followed him down to his car, while her parents watched from the window, knowing that her father would have wanted to meet him too. They would quiz her later.

They drove in silence. Arriving at a zoo, he parked, locked his car and placed his arm around her shoulder, as they walked towards the entrance. Jessica loved animals, she had not been to a zoo in years.

“Why did you pick a zoo?” she queried.

“I had a feeling theme parks where not your thing.”

“No, they are not, I love zoos,” she said.

“Good, let’s go, I want to show you my favourite animal.”

“What animal, the lion. King of the jungle?”

“Wow, this is going to be a fun day,” he said, as he paid, this time taking her hand. “I hate to tell you this, but my father has a few of his men watching our every move.”

Her mouth fell open; he leaned in and closed it, before leading her towards the monkey enclosure. She stood outside it, watching them swing and climb around the enclosure. The whole time his hand held hers firmly, she placed a smile on her lips, not that she had to fake the enjoyment. She was having a nice time, even if it was the oddest of dates, with his father’s men following them. She saw them talking on the phone, most likely telling his father, TJ exactly how the date was going.

As much as she wanted to pretend she was having fun, she did not need to, because she was enjoying herself, even if he was pretending. On the outside, they looked like any other happy couple. He was a true gentleman, opening doors, paying for things, holding her hand, and flirting with her. She had to keep reminding herself that this was all for show, that he was not about to fall for her, and they would get married. It was not as if she wanted to marry into his family either; he was not the man she would to marry.

The day was almost coming to an end, but they were hungry, and he drove them to a little restaurant that sat at the top of a hill. Curtis parked, and opened the door, allowing her to enter first. It was not as fancy as the one the night before.

She sat watching him as he ate; the men were there too, at another table. She wondered for a moment about all the money he had spent on her, would that be added to the debt her brothers owed.

“Thank you for today, it was really fun,” Jessica said as the food arrived.

“Good, I am pleased you enjoyed it, but not all our dates will be like this. I will wine and dine you, for a while, but give it three weeks and things will settle down. I want you to know that, after that time, I plan to let my father know we are just not working out.”

“And then what?”

“I was honest with you, that I did not want to marry you. That is not want I want, but as I said, we will play along for now.”

“But then what happens, the debt is not going to go away. My family will be the ones suffering, I am sure your father would not take kindly to me not giving him what he wants.”

“Tough, I told you that this is not what I want.”

She had not intended to cry, but tears spilled down her cheeks, she had to excuse herself and composed herself, before returning back to the table. The rest of the meal felt awkward to Jessica, how could she go along with this, she had to do what was best for her family. She planned to visit his father and tell him that she would do what was asked of her, but his son was not.

The meal was over, the drive home quiet, he dropped her off, a peck on the cheek, for show, he told her.

“If and I mean if I do this, you are not to tell mum and dad, promise me?” Her brothers nodded.

“Before I agree, because I am not saying I will do this, I am considering it. I think I should at least meet him, don’t you?”

“You should. We didn’t want to do this, but this was the option they offered us. We would not have asked if we were not desperate, Jessica.”

“I know, I am just trying to get my head around this, how and why did you borrow from that man.”

“Because no bank would help us, our parents could not help us either, and so our only choice was TJ.”

“Jessica, you can meet him, and you will, because he is here, right now?”

“Now!”

“I’m sorry we should have told you.”

“They’re here!”

“Yes, if you look to the third table to your left,” Jim said as his sister, turned to find the table, four men stood and walked towards her, one was TJ, she knew which he was, the bald fat guy, wore so much jewellery, more than she owned.

“I'll tell you," TJ said, approaching the table.

Jessica studied the other three men, trying to work out which of the men was his son, they all looked alike; none were unattractive. Maybe his son was not here after all. Or he was hiding behind the three men; maybe he was short and fat like his old men. She shuddered.

“You will make an honest man of my son, and give me a grandson,” his voice was firm, but quiet, so only they could hear him. He pointed to the man to his left. “Curtis, meet your future wife.”

Jessica looked up at the man he pointed to, all six foot of him, sighed with relief that he did not look like his father. He was toned, with dark brown eyes which were staring at her, at her cleavage, she suddenly felt even more under-dressed, and like a hooker, a well-paid hooker. After all wasn’t that in a way what she was going to be? She found her voice, and turned to the man, she was nervous, scared of what the man and his whole family, she knew the reputation they held. She opened her mouth to speak, thought for a second to exactly what she would say.

“I have to ask you something first?”

Her brother placed his hand on hers, pleading with her to be quiet. She shook her head, and ignored his plea.​“I want to know, what if you son does not agree with this, what if he doesn’t like me, or doesn’t he have a say?”

“He has a say,” he barked.

She gulped.

“Dad!”

“Of course he has a choice, we have discussed this. He said you will do, he likes you enough. Enough to do what is asked of him, he knows his place. Once the child is born, you will be free to leave.”

“And the child?”

“The child is ours,” he said.

“So let me get this straight, to pay of my brothers debt, I marry your son, give you the child you want, my child.”

“The child is not just yours, he will be ours, you can see him, of course, but he will live with his father.”

“No, I am sorry, but if I agree to this, I won’t give you my child, I won’t do it.”

“You can have another child, but if you have a daughter, you can keep her.”“That is so kind of you, wow, you only want sons to carry on your business and name.”

“You cannot talk to me in that way, this is the deal, take it or leave it.”

She swallowed again. Taking him at his word. “I will do this on one condition, if I have a son, I want to be able to stay, I won’t leave him.”

Jessica was babbling, thinking ahead of the crazy situation she was in, if she really had to be in this, she could not walk out on her child, she knew she was not thinking about the life she was entering, but she could not do it, she was doing this for her family, if she had this child, this would be her flesh and blood. She wanted no part in it otherwise.

“Dad, she is right, a child needs both parents,” he said. “Mum died when I was eight. I would not want my child to have to miss out on having his mother around.”

“Fine, when he turns sixteen, he is mine, he will work for me, and no longer be your responsibility.”

Jessica nodded. She would agree to anything in that moment, she would do what was best for her child, if she had a son, if the man before her indeed married her.

“Right that’s sorted, we have two weeks to sort the wedding out.”

“Two weeks!”

“Yes, we’ll make the arrangements.”

“Two weeks, that’s far too quick,” she said. “I am so sorry, but my parents just wouldn’t trust some guy to come into my life and whisk me of my feet. And ask me to marry him.”

“She has a point, Dad.”

“Maybe we should get to know each other, go on a few dates.”

“How long would you say then, because I am not waiting a year for you to give us what we want!”

“How about three months, that should be enough time to get to know each other.”

“Fine, but Curtis, if she falls pregnant before the three months, you will get married sooner.”

“Agreed. Jessica, let’s get to know each other, we should start now,” he said.

“Now!”

“Why not!” he said.

“You can have our table,” his father said, leading the other men out.

“We could go elsewhere, away from prying eyes.”

“Okay, that sounds like a good idea, thank you.” She nodded again. She told her brothers she would call them later as she was taken by the hand and led outside. The touch of his hand sent electric impulses up her arms and down her back, she had not felt anything like it before, of course she was attracted to the guy, it was lust, not love.

If she had seen him on her night out, she would have fancied him instantly and been attracted him, maybe flirted with him.

Knowing what he did about his family, she would never have dared date such a man. What his family were known for was not something she would have ever thought she would be involved in, but thanks to her brothers she was in deep, and marrying this guy was what she had to do to keep her family safe, then she would do it.

The cool air hit her as she stepped onto the pavement, wishing she had more clothing on, the wind had increased and made her shiver. He took three large strides to reach the car; a man opened the door and allowed them both to enter. The moment the door closed he dropped her hand.

He turned to face her, “Jessica, this is how it is going to be, we are NOT getting married, you seem a nice enough girl, but this is not what I want, but you have to understand my family.”

“But…”

“I’ll deal with my father, we will pretend to date for a while, I am sure you can put on a good show, right?”

“Show?”

“We are going to be going on a few fake dates.”

“You want to pretend to date me, but not really go through with this, what about my family, the debt will not be paid.”

“Not my problem.”

“Not your problem!”

“You think that this is the first time my father has put this idea to me, I will not just get married for him to have a grandson.”

The car travelled along the open road, the driver drove the car into a parking lot, got out and opened the door, allowing them both to exit. Curtis took her hand again, and led her into the restaurant. A place she could only dream of eating. A place you needed to book a year in advance, and spend a month’s wages on.

Her mouth was open, her eyes wide, as he led her inside, she could not close her mouth if she tried, it was the place to be, if you could afford to eat here, you had made it. Or so she heard.

The place was incredible, it spoke money. Every table had customers seated at them. The food came out on white china plates, Jessica looked at the portion sizes as waitresses carried them out to tables. A mouthful, that was all that was on the plate, if she ate here, she would want ten portions, or a burger and chips afterwards. There was no way this delicate stunning food, would fill her up. If this was all show, why had he brought her here?

“Table for two,” he said.

“Name please?”

“Curtis Harrison.”

“We have no booking under that name sir, are you sure it was for today?”

“I don’t have a booking.”

“Then I am sorry sir, but you will have to book and come back when you do.”

“I don’t need a booking.”

“Sir, we have people who have to wait nearly a year to eat here, maybe you and your…” the man looked at Jessica and paused.

“I am aware of that thank you, but I think you will find that you will get a table for us, and be quick about it.”

Jessica bowed her head, she could literally feel the muscles in his arm tense from the way he held onto her hand. Was this how they got what they wanted? Before another word could be said, a little man with whispy of grey hair that fell across the top of his head literally ran towards them. His name tag read Geoffrey, below that, the word manager.

“This way Mr.Harrison, I apologise, he is new, I cannot apologise enough. Come this way, your table is ready,” he turned to face the man who had the clipboard in his hand. “Go to my office now. Jason take over,” Geoffrey said, as he led them to a table set back from the restaurant in a little nook.“We will bring a selection of our specials today to your table, and a bottle of our finest wine.”

“Thank you, Geoffrey.”

The man nodded and hurried off.

“Guess you are used to getting what you want. Just snap your fingers and people do what you tell them?”

“Mostly. You are not so different.”

“What does that mean?”

“What that means is, that your brothers called you, and you hurried here, from what I can tell, from a night out,” he said, indicating to what she was wearing.

“I was out with friends, and I didn’t come running because they needed me. I had no idea about this, I was expecting my parents, a family meal.”

“So they lied to you.”

“Yes, but they had good reasons.” She defended them.

“Then you listened to what they wanted from them, and you instantly agreed to it.”

“Yes, because your family will hurt mine. I could not allow that to happen, don’t you think I know what your family are known for?”

“So you think we are thugs, who would hurt people for what actually belongs to us.”

“What belongs to you?”

“Yes, we loan people money, they pay us back, with interest; it’s as simple as that.”

“No, it’s not as simple as that and you know it.”

“Since you know so much, why don’t you tell me what it’s like?”

“What your family do, is allow people to borrow more than they can afford, so when it comes to paying, you do what you are known for.”

“And what’s that?”

“I saw what you did to my brother, which is all the proof I need.”

“Really?”

“You think I could do that?”

“You, those men your father has by his side, yes, of course I do.”

“So why agree to marry me? Are you afraid of me?”

Jessica gulped, of course she was. She was afraid of the man sat before her.

The food arrived, lots of little bite size meals filled the table, the wine sat in ice in a bucket.

“So, Jessica, let’s eat.”

She did as she was told; the food was amazing and rich in taste, and some even melted in her mouth.

“Good, right, the food here is amazing.”

“You’re right, it is. I can’t believe something so tiny, so delicate, could taste like this,”

“You are right, and wait until you taste the deserts. They are out of this world.”

Jessica nodded, as he clicked his fingers, they removed all the plates and replaced them with the tiny desserts. He pushed one towards her, and suggested she try it, a little pastry topped with strawberry and cream. She picked one up of the plate and popped the whole thing in her mouth, which exploded with flavours, the pastry melted in her mouth.​She saw him lean towards her, suddenly she had a feeling he was going to kiss her, and she was okay with it. She should not want him to, but the way his eyes twinkled as he leaned towards her, had her ready for it. She leaned in too, but what he did was not lay a kiss on her, but instead wiped the cream away from the corner of her mouth. That little act made her want him to touch her again. She had to shake the thought out of her head; she was not thinking with her head.